TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Austrian Foods
Also known as the Emperor's mess, this Austrian dessert can be described as a fluffy, lightly caramelized, scrambled pancake. Legend has it that kaiserschmarrn was the favorite dessert of Kaiser Franz Joseph I, after whom it was named.
The dish is traditionally served either with zwetschkenröster (plum compote) or with a big spoonful of apple, pear, or berry preserve. Lavishly dusted with icing sugar, kaiserschmarrn is the perfect comfort food, indeed fit for an emperor and easily one of the best desserts Austria has to offer.
Apart from the beloved, old-fashioned kaiserschmarrn, depending on the filling, some of the modern takes on this Austrian classic include apfelschmarrn (apples), kirschschmarrn (cherries), mirabellenschmarrn (mirabelle plums), nußschmarrn (walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts) and sauerrahmschmarrn (sour cream).
MOST ICONIC Kaiserschmarrn
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A traditional pastry dessert with a rich and vivid history, apfelstrudel (apple strudel) is one of Austria's most popular delicacies. This sweet treat consists of thin layers of dough filled with a flavorful apple filling. Its story starts with the invention of baklava, a filo pastry popular in the Balkans and the Middle East.
Since baklava requires very thin dough, similar to strudel, the technique was likely perfected by either the Ottomans or the Greeks. It is believed that strudel arrived in Hungary first, then Austria, due to the fact that the Ottomans had constant interactions with the Habsburgs.
MOST ICONIC Apfelstrudel
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Mezzelune or schlutzkrapfen is a unique pasta variety that is popular both in Italy and Austria, especially in the area of South Tyrol. The pasta has a semicircular shape, which is the reason why it is called mezzelune (half moons in Italian).
The dough is typically made from wheat and buckwheat flour, semolina, eggs, and olive oil. The pasta is stuffed with various ingredients, just like ravioli. Common fillings include ingredients such as cheese, mushrooms, potatoes, meat, or spinach.
Mezzelune are often served with sauces such as pesto and paired with seafood, sausages (salsiccia), or fresh vegetables such as cherry tomatoes.
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Kasnocken is a savory dish made by coating small dumplings with melted cheese and caramelized onions. The dish is said to originate from Austria’s Pinzgau region (congruent with the Zell am See district), and in line with the place of origin, the cheese used when preparing the dish is the Pinzgauer Bierkäse, characterized by its strong odor and mild flavors.
Since this is one hearty meal, a shot of schnapps is traditionally taken afterwards for improving digestion.
MOST ICONIC Kasnocken
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Käseknödel is a traditional dumpling enriched with cheese originating from Tyrol and South Tyrol. These cheese dumplings are typically served as a side dish that shows an inventive way of using leftover stale bread. The stale bread is mixed with cheese, eggs, butter, milk, onions, parsley, salt, and pepper.
Käseknödeln are usually boiled in water or fried in butter on both sides until golden brown and then served in a broth or with various salads and stews.
OTHER VARIATIONS OF Tiroler Knödel
Krapfen was probably the first European-style doughnut to appear, followed by similar varieties in other countries. These pastries are traditionally prepared with leavened dough that is deep-fried until golden and crispy on the outside, while they remain soft, light, and airy on the inside.
Though krapfen can be prepared plain, they are most often filled or topped with jams, and vanilla or chocolate custards, while the top is usually dusted with powdered sugar or drizzled with chocolate. The origin of the word krapfen dates back to 9th century, and the recipes in German can be found as early as the 14th century.
MOST ICONIC Krapfen
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Germknödel is a famous Austrian steamed yeast dumpling. It consists of soft dough which is filled with rum-spiced plum jam. Before serving, the dumpling is generously doused with melted butter or vanilla-based sauce and sprinkled with a considerable amount of poppy seeds.
Believed to have originated in the eastern or southern parts of Austria, this unique dessert is nowadays associated with the famous Austrian ski resorts, where it has become an irreplaceable winter staple. Even though germknödel is nowadays consumed as a dessert, this was not the case when it first appeared in Austrian cuisine.
MOST ICONIC Germknödel
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Schnitzel Wiener Art is a take on the classic of Austrian cuisine, the Wiener schnitzel, a breaded and fried veal cutlet. But unlike the traditional Wiener schnitzel, the schnitzel Wiener Art is made with a pork cutlet, not a veal one. The reason behind this switch is the fact that pork is much cheaper and more available than veal.
Today, most restaurants in Austria and Germany serve the Wiener schnitzel made with pork and not the real Wiener schnitzel. Luckily, they are obliged by law to state so on their menu. Schnitzel Wiener Art is prepared the same way as the traditional Wiener schnitzel.
OTHER VARIATIONS OF Wiener Schnitzel
MOST ICONIC Schnitzel Wiener Art
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Zwiebelrostbraten is a traditional dish that's served in most German and Austrian restaurants in Bavaria and Vienna, respectively. The dish is usually made with a combination of beef (sirloin steak), onions, flour, oil, butter, paprika, Dijon mustard, cream, beef stock, salt, and pepper.
The onions are sliced into rings, dipped in a mixture of flour and paprika, fried in oil, and set aside. The steaks are lightly pounded, seasoned with salt and pepper, coated with flour and paprika, fried in oil and butter on both sides, and removed from the pan.
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Kürbis suppe or pumpkin soup is a simple dish typical of the traditional Burgenland cuisine. The soup is usually made with diced or grated pumpkin flesh that is lightly sautéed with vegetables before it is simmered in water, chicken stock, or beef broth until all the ingredients are tender.
Typical vegetables used in the soup include onions, garlic, potatoes, carrots, leeks, and celery, while the selection of spices and seasonings usually includes salt, pepper, paprika, nutmeg, cumin, dill, and vinegar. The soup is commonly thickened with flour or cornstarch, and once cooked, it is usually combined with cream and puréed until it gets a smooth or porridge-like consistency.
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Best Austrian Food Producers
Frierss is a renowned Austrian family business with over 120 years of experience in producing high-quality charcuterie and meat products. Based in Carinthia, the company has been dedicated to craftsmanship, tradition, and innovation since its founding in 1898.
Frierss is known for its exceptional selection of premium sausages, hams, and salamis, all made using carefully selected ingredients and time-honored recipes. Their commitment to quality is reflected in their use of the finest regional meats, natural spices, and meticulous production methods that enhance the authentic flavors of their specialties.
BEST Frierss Meat Products
Sonnberg Biofleisch is an Austrian company specializing in 100% organic meat products. Their offerings include a variety of meats such as beef, pork, lamb, and poultry, as well as traditional sausages and charcuterie. They prioritize sustainable and ethical farming practices, working with local farmers in the region of Upper Austria to produce high-quality organic products.
Their meats are free from chemicals and additives, ensuring a pure and natural taste. Sonnberg emphasizes transparency in its production processes, with a focus on animal welfare, quality ingredients, and sustainable practices.
BEST Sonnberg Biofleisch Meat Products
Stastnik is an Austrian family-owned company with a tradition spanning over 125 years, renowned for its premium cured meat products that blend authentic recipes with innovative approaches. Founded in 1898, Stastnik stands out with its "Slow-how" philosophy, which emphasizes carefully selected ingredients and a slow maturation process to achieve a rich, full flavor and superior quality.
Their product range includes a wide selection of delicacies, such as Hungarian-style salami, cured sausages, kabanos, ham, bacon, and roasts, with a special focus on innovative products like casing-free sausages. Stastnik is synonymous with a passion for top-quality meat processing, as demonstrated by its award-winning Camembert salami, which received the prestigious AMA "Produkt Champion" award.
BEST Stastnik Meat Products
Zotter Chocolate, headquartered in Riegersburg, Austria, is a company known for producing organic and fair-trade chocolates. Established in 1987 by Josef Zotter, the company initially operated as a confectionery business before transitioning to chocolate manufacturing in 1999.
Zotter is distinctive for its wide variety of unique flavors, offering over 400 different types of chocolate bars. The company is committed to sustainability, sourcing cocoa beans directly from cooperatives and small farmers. Zotter operates a "bean-to-bar" production, where the entire chocolate-making process, from roasting beans to packaging, is managed in-house.
AWARDS

Academy of Chocolate - Gold
2018, 2016

Academy of Chocolate - Silver
2018, 2017, 2016, 2011

Academy of Chocolate - Bronze
2018, 2017, 2016
BEST Zotter Chocolates
Weingut R&A Pfaffl is an Austrian winery located in the Weinviertel wine region, precisely in Stetten. The winery is managed by the Pfaffl family, as a family business. Roman and Adelheid Pfaffl took over their parents' farm in 1978 with 23 hectares of arable fields and less than one hectare of vineyards.
Currently the vineyard extends over more than 100 hectares, of which 70% is cultivated with white grape varieties.
AWARDS

Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2024, 2023, 2022, 2021

Berlin Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2022
AWARDS

Berlin Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2024, 2022, 2021

Portugal Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2023, 2022, 2017

Asia Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2019, 2017
BEST Weingut Keringer Wines
As brothers, we complemented each other very well even as children, despite our different interests and talents. This is still the case today and we can contribute to the success of our family winery with our know-how on various levels: We enjoy working together in our vineyards, Hans Michael bears great responsibility for the style and expressiveness of our wines in the cellar and Andreas is responsible for sales and presence at tastings.
We stand for stability, handshake quality, family history, but also for a new perspective on the whole - and the naturalness among brothers to always challenge each other with respect and to develop new things together.
AWARDS

Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2024, 2019

Asia Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2023, 2020

Berlin Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2023, 2018
BEST Gebrüder Nittnaus Gols Wines
The Kracher Winery lies in the Seewinkel area of Austria´s Burgenland. Here, through the evaporative periods of Lake Neusiedl, the evening fog and the warm Pannonian climate, continuous warm-humid weather patterns are dominant and, therefore, allow for Botrytis cinerea to be generated.
This is what provides the basis for the fantastic sweet wines such as Beerenauslese and Trockenbeerenauslese.
AWARDS

Berlin Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2024

Falstaff - 100
BEST Weinlaubenhof Kracher Wines
AWARDS

James Suckling - 100 points
2024

Falstaff - 100

Falstaff - 99
BEST Weingut Franz Hirtzberger Wines
AWARDS

James Suckling - 100 points
2024

Falstaff - 100

Falstaff - 99
BEST Weingut F. X. Pichler Wines
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Austrian Food Products
Frierss Kärntner Bergsalami is a top-quality Austrian cured meat delicacy, crafted according to a traditional recipe from the heart of Carinthia. Made exclusively from carefully selected local beef and pork, this salami is distinguished by its rich and full-bodied flavor, which comes from a special blend of spices, a closely guarded family secret passed down through generations.
The production process begins with gentle smoking over beechwood, enhanced with aromatic juniper berries that give the salami its distinctive character. Following this, the Bergsalami is aged for at least 10 weeks in the fresh mountain air, where natural conditions contribute to its exceptional texture and intense flavor with subtle peppery notes.
MASSIV RED Toprotweincuvée is a bold and powerful red wine that blends several carefully selected grape varieties. This wine is known for its deep, rich color and intense aromas of dark fruits, such as blackberries and cherries, along with hints of spice and earthy undertones.
On the palate, it offers a full-bodied experience with structured tannins and a smooth, long finish. The combination of ripe fruit flavors and a well-integrated acidity gives this wine a balanced, yet robust character. Perfect for pairing with hearty dishes, MASSIV RED is a wine that stands out for its strength and complexity.
AWARDS

Berlin Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2024, 2022, 2021

Portugal Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2022
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022
The Kärntnermilch Mölltaler Almkäse Selektion 50% F.i. T. is a premium cheese product made by Kärntnermilch reg. Gen.m.b. H. It boasts a fat content of 50% in dry matter, which gives it a rich and creamy texture. This cheese is crafted using traditional methods and high-quality milk sourced from the alpine region of Kärnten, Austria.
The flavor profile is typically robust and aromatic, reflective of the lush pastures and pure environment where the cows graze.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023
Ländle Bioberger is a high-quality dairy product produced by Vorarlberg Milch, a cooperative based in Vorarlberg, Austria. This cheese is known for its distinctive flavor, which is a result of traditional cheesemaking methods and the use of organic milk sourced from local farms in the region.
The cows are raised in environmentally sustainable conditions, ensuring that the milk is free from artificial additives and hormones. The product reflects the company’s commitment to sustainability and the preservation of traditional farming practices.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2021
AWARDS

Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2024

Portugal Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2021

Berlin Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2018
AWARDS

Academy of Chocolate - Gold
2020
The product, Bitter Classic made by Zotter is an artisanal beverage option that focuses on providing a rich and intense chocolate experience. Made from organic and fair-trade ingredients, this drinking chocolate features a high cocoa content, which results in a deep, full-bodied flavor profile.
Zotter, known for their ethical and innovative chocolate creations, offers this product as a sophisticated twist on traditional hot chocolate.
AWARDS

Academy of Chocolate - Gold
2018
Labooko Dark Chocolate Belize 82% is an exquisite dark chocolate bar created by Zotter. This chocolate features cacao sourced from the Central American country of Belize, known for its rich and unique flavor profile. The 82% cacao content indicates a robust and intense chocolate experience, with deep, complex flavors and aromatic nuances.
Zotter is renowned for its ethical sourcing practices and commitment to organic and fair trade principles, ensuring that Labooko Dark Chocolate Belize 82% is both delicious and responsibly produced.
AWARDS

Academy of Chocolate - Gold
2016


































TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. For the “Top 100 Austrian Foods” list until April 20, 2025, 6,559 ratings were recorded, of which 5,370 were recognized by the system as legitimate. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.